Restroom Care: UC Santa Barbara Goes Waterless

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The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) has been installing waterless urinal systems in its Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management facility.

According to school officials, the urinals have already helped reduce sewage costs, and total water usage has been cut by 66 percent.

It is estimated that once all the waterless urinals have been installed, the reduction in water and sewage costs will save the school as much as 40,000 gallons of water and $114 per urinal per year. According to Klaus Reichardt, Managing Partner of Waterless Co. LLC that manufactured the urinals, the savings will result in a return on the school’s investment within three years.

Waterless urinals were selected over conventional urinal systems because the school believes they offer several benefits. Perrin Pellegrin, UCSB Campus Sustainability Manager, explains that in addition to being more sustainable, the waterless urinals are more hygienic than touch-and-flush urinals because they are more bacteria-resistant, which also helps prevent odors.

Waterless urinals use the patented and recyclable EcoTrap placed at the bottom of the urinal. The trap prevents sewer gases from being released. A liquid sealant, BlueSeal, which is biodegradable, blocks urine odor from returning into the restroom.

Will the campus see more waterless urinals in the future?

Apparently the answer is yes. Impressed with the water and cost savings, the university is now considering requiring all new campus buildings to install waterless systems instead of traditional flush systems.